About The Peterborough School
The Peterborough School is a co-educational independent day school in Cambridgeshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
The Peterborough School is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for every pupil, with excellent academic results, strong pastoral care and a thriving extracurricular programme. Scholarships and bursaries are available to support pupils with talent and financial need.
Year 7 Admissions Guide for The Peterborough School
The Peterborough School Admissions Criteria
The Peterborough School is a co-educational independent day school in Cambridgeshire. Entry to Year 7 (11+) is via the school's own assessment process, which includes academic assessment in English and Mathematics, and may include an interview. The school offers a comprehensive education with a wide range of academic, sporting, musical, dramatic and artistic opportunities.
- ✓Step 1 — Initial enquiry: Contact the Admissions Team at The Peterborough School to register your interest and request a prospectus. Visit the school on an Open Day or arrange a private tour to experience the school environment first-hand.
- ✓Step 2 — Submit registration: Complete the online (or paper) registration form and pay the registration fee to formally apply for a Year 7 place at The Peterborough School. Early registration is recommended — many independent schools have rolling admissions and limited Year 7 places.
- ✓Step 3 — Reference from current school: The school will request an academic and pastoral reference from your child's current school. This provides insight into your child's academic progress, character and suitability.
- ✓Step 4 — Entrance assessment: Your child will sit The Peterborough School's own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The assessment is designed by the school's academic staff to identify both current ability and future academic potential.
- ✓Step 5 — Interview (where applicable): Many independent schools include an interview as part of the selection process — this is a friendly conversation to learn about her interests, motivations and aspirations.
- ✓Step 6 — Written decision: Following the assessment, parents are notified in writing whether her child has been offered a place at The Peterborough School.
- ✓Step 7 — Accept the place: To accept an offer, parents complete an acceptance form and pay a deposit to secure the place. The deposit is typically credited against future school fees.
- ✓Academic Scholarships: Awarded to applicants demonstrating exceptional academic ability in the entrance assessment.
- ✓Music Scholarships: For pupils with proven musical ability — supported by an audition.
- ✓Art & Drama Scholarships: For pupils with strong creative and performance ability, supported by a portfolio or audition.
- ✓Sport Scholarships: For pupils with talent and achievement in sport at a competitive level.
- ✓Bursary Awards: Means-tested financial support for families who require help with school fees at The Peterborough School. Awards are typically assessed annually.
- ✓Sibling Discount: Available at many independent schools for families with multiple children attending.
The Peterborough School Oversubscription Criteria
- Looked-after and previously looked-after children (highest priority).
- Children who achieve the highest scores in the 11+ entrance test.
- Children living within the school's priority catchment area.
- Children with siblings currently attending The Peterborough School.
- All other qualifying children ranked by distance from the school.
Key Dates & Deadlines — The Peterborough School 2026
| 📌 Open Events | Throughout the year — check school website to register |
| 📌 Application Window | Rolling admissions — apply early to secure assessment slot |
| 📌 Entrance Assessment | Arranged after registration submitted |
| 📌 Decision Notification | Following assessment, by written letter from the Head |
| 📌 Acceptance & Deposit | Deposit required to secure offered place |
How to Apply to The Peterborough School
Step 1 — Attend an Open Day at The Peterborough School
Attend an Open Day at The Peterborough School — typically held in Autumn (October) and Spring
Step 2 — Take a guided tour of facilities
Take a guided tour of facilities and meet senior staff members
Step 3 — Submit the registration form together
Submit the registration form together with the £100 registration fee
Step 4 — If applying for an Academic Scholarship, the registration
If applying for an Academic Scholarship, the registration must be received prior to the Entrance Test in January
Step 5 — The school requests a reference from your child's current
The school requests a reference from your child's current Head
Step 6 — Your child sits the 11+ Entrance Tests in English
Your child sits the 11+ Entrance Tests in English, Mathematics, Non-Verbal Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning — usually on a Saturday
Step 7 — There may also be an interview as part of the assessment
There may also be an interview as part of the assessment process
Step 8 — Two weeks after the exams, the school sends out offers of
Two weeks after the exams, the school sends out offers of places, to be accepted by the deadline indicated in the offer letter
Independent Subjects Tested at The Peterborough School
Scholarships & Bursaries at The Peterborough School
Available scholarships and bursaries: Academic Scholarships (highest combined marks in entrance tests), plus Music, Sport and Art Scholarships. Means-tested bursaries available.
Outcome announced: Academic Scholarships awarded to candidates achieving highest combined marks in the entrance tests
Additional notes: The Peterborough School is an independent co-educational school in Peterborough. Founded in 1895, it is owned by the Woodard Corporation alongside twenty other independent schools. No set pass mark — the school looks at performance plus reference together.
Independent Practice Papers for The Peterborough School
The Peterborough School uses School's own bespoke 11+ format. Our Practice Papers is a great way to practice for the exam — with full video explanations for every question.
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 31.5 hours of video content
- 3 × English, Maths, VR & NVR tests
- 600 video explanations
- 28.5 hours of video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 11 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 10 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9.5 hrs video content
- 4 mixed-subject practice tests
- 200 video explanations
- 9 hrs video content
How to Prepare for the The Peterborough School 11+ Exam
ExamTutor practice papers with tutor explanations for every question offers an affordable substitute for private tuition for a fraction of the cost.
📋 Take a Diagnostic Test
Start with a timed practice test to identify strengths and areas needing improvement.
📅 Build a Study Plan
Start at least 6–12 months before the exam. Focus extra time on weaker subjects.
🎥 Review with Video Explanations
Watch video solutions for incorrect answers. Rewatch difficult topics until confident.
⏱️ Develop Exam Technique
Practice under timed conditions to build stamina and learn to manage difficult questions.
📈 Track Progress
Monitor scores over time to see genuine improvement and identify remaining weak spots.
🚀 Build Confidence
Simulating real exam conditions means no surprises on the day — your child knows what to expect.
Academic Performance at The Peterborough School (GCSE & A-Level Results)
The Peterborough School achieves consistently strong results at GCSE and A-Level, with teaching that helps most pupils exceed the grades predicted from their starting points.
- GCSE: a strong record, with strong individual progress in small classes.
- A-Level: strong results, with nearly a quarter of recent A-Level students achieving three or more A*/A grades.
- Progression: pupils progress to a wide range of universities.
Exam results change annually, so always confirm the latest published figures on the school’s website.
Catchment Area for The Peterborough School
The Peterborough School is an independent school and does not operate a catchment area. As the city’s only independent all-through day school, places are open to families from across Peterborough and the surrounding area, with entry by assessment rather than where a family lives.
The school sits on a 12-acre campus close to the city centre, with fast rail links to London; entry runs from the Nursery and Prep through 11+ and into the Sixth Form, with scholarships and means-tested bursaries available.
Pastoral Care, Sport & Extracurricular Life
Founded in 1895 (formerly Peterborough High School) and a member of the Woodard Corporation of Church of England schools, The Peterborough School is a co-educational independent day school (from Nursery to Sixth Form, ages roughly 4–18) on a leafy 12-acre campus near the city centre. Fully co-educational since boys were admitted from 2010, it is known for deliberately small classes, high levels of individual attention and strong, genuine pastoral care, guided by values of family, ambition, character and excellence.
Beyond the classroom it offers a wide programme — including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Young Enterprise, debating, music (choirs and orchestra) and House events. For the full list, see the school’s own website.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Peterborough School
How do I get into The Peterborough School?
To gain entry to The Peterborough School Year 7, parents register their child with the Admissions Team, submit a registration fee and arrange for the child to sit the 11+ entrance assessment covering English and Mathematics. A reference from the current school is required. Following the assessment and any interview, parents are notified in writing of the outcome.
What entrance exam does The Peterborough School use?
The Peterborough School sets its own bespoke 11+ entrance assessment covering English, Mathematics, Verbal Reasoning and Non-Verbal Reasoning. The papers are designed by the school's academic staff and may differ from national exam boards. Practice papers in the relevant 11+ format (such as the ones ExamTutor provides) are excellent preparation for the school's own assessment.
What is the 11+ exam at The Peterborough School?
The Peterborough School uses its own 11+ entrance assessment for Year 7 entry. The assessment covers English and Mathematics, designed to identify both current ability and future academic potential. An interview with the Head or Deputy Head may also form part of the selection process.
Are there scholarships at The Peterborough School?
Yes. The Peterborough School offers Academic, Music, Art, Drama and Sport scholarships. Means-tested Bursary Awards are also available to support families requiring financial assistance with school fees. Contact the Admissions Office for current scholarship and bursary information.
When should I apply to The Peterborough School?
Most independent schools including The Peterborough School accept applications throughout the year, but Year 7 places are often offered 12-18 months in advance. Register early — ideally by Year 5 (age 9-10) — to secure assessment slots and avoid disappointment.
Are there free Independent 11+ practice papers for The Peterborough School?
Yes. ExamTutor offers a free Independent 11+ Practice Test Paper and free Tutor Video Explanations. The practice paper matches the format of independent school 11+ entrance exams covering English and Mathematics — the subjects typically tested at The Peterborough School. No registration required.
When is the The Peterborough School 11+ registration deadline?
The registration deadline at The Peterborough School is Prior to the Entrance Test in January (typically Saturday in mid-January). The registration fee is £100. Always check the school's official admissions page for current details.
When are The Peterborough School 11+ results announced?
At The Peterborough School, 11+ assessment results are Approximately 2 weeks after the entrance exams. The deadline to accept a place is As specified in offer letter.